Chapter 26 #2
She cleared her throat and carried on. “As I was saying. Lil was a fiercely optimistic person, never without a smile, but no one knew the will it took for her to see life through a colorful lens. She had an enormous amount of strength when the seas became stormy. And she had an incredible amount of resolve when her journey seemed unnavigable.” She hoped Lil would forgive her for sharing her story.
“Her creative catalog behind me is a testament to how, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. These paintings hold a story.” Dahlia pointed to the botanicals covering the hallway wall.
“One of hope when all seemed lost. You see, Lil wasn’t just my aunt; I recently learned she was my biological grandmother.
” There were gasps from the crowd of friendly faces.
“She fell in love with an amazing man in 1955, whom she loved dearly. Unfortunately, they were forced apart by a world that only saw their differences. But their love story was far from over. From their unbreakable bond, my mother, Rose, was conceived. My grandparents, whom many know as Lizzie and Leon, raised her with Lil in devotion. I’m sharing this with you because I don’t want any more secrets to stay buried.
I want her story to take root and bloom.
If anyone deserves that, it’s Lil,” Dahlia said tearfully as she glanced over at Gene, standing next to Noah.
“I want you all to meet someone very important to me. My grandfather, Gene.”
Gene walked over with the help of Noah, and Dahlia gave him the warmest embrace.
Daisy leaped from the arm of the chair to join in.
Whatever changed her mind, she was grateful for it.
Dahlia waved to Kara, and it became a cuddle puddle.
There were enough tears to drown the Sahara.
All Dahlia could hear was clapping and curious chatter from their audience about the Hollywood legend gracing their small town.
They stood there together like a real family, smiling in awe at how fate brought them back to one another. All the while, Dahlia acknowledged in her heart that it was Lil’s doing.
“Let’s raise our glasses to Lil,” Dahlia said as she held tight to Gene’s well-worn hand.
“To Lil.” Everyone raised their plastic cups.
“And to love conquering all!” Daisy shouted.
After the day’s festivities were over, Dahlia strolled along the grass, watching the lightning bugs light the way to Noah’s. She pulled her cardigan tight, feeling a slight nip in the air. Her heart was full.
She passed his truck, rounded the corner of the porch, and spotted him sitting on the steps. “Hey,” she said tenderly. “What are you doing out here?”
“Just enjoying the peace and quiet. What a night, huh?” He paused with a watery gaze. “Lil would be proud, D.”
“Thanks, babe,” she said, soaking in the nighttime sounds.
“You’re right. It is peaceful out here. The smell of this air never gets old.
” She felt mated to this place in her bones.
If a place could also be a twin flame, this would be hers.
And now, after all that had happened, she couldn’t picture being anywhere else.
“Here, come sit.” He patted the spot next to him. “Did everyone get settled? You’ve got a full house over there.”
“I do, and I’m loving it,” Dahlia said, lowering her body next to him. “Daisy and Gene are looking through old photo albums of Lil. I have a feeling no one is going to get much sleep tonight.”
Noah twirled a piece of grass in thought. “I’m glad he came. I knew you were holding back because you were scared.”
“I was scared. I thought if I kept my heart guarded by a wide and deep moat, then I’d be protected and never get hurt.
But I was wrong.” She laced her fingers with his, in a hold that said not going anywhere.
“I would rather love and lose than never have it at all. If there’s anything Lil and Gene’s story has taught me, it’s that. ”
She turned to face him. “I’m not taking the job—either of them.
And I don’t know what I’m going to do for work yet, but I know I belong here in that house.
” She nodded toward Lil’s. This decision wasn’t for Noah; it was hers.
She needed the extra time to make sure it was for her.
But it didn’t hurt that with that came Noah. “And I belong with you.”
“You mean it?” he said with furrowed brows and a relieved smile. His vulnerability was sweet and tender, just another reason to love this man. Maybe he’d been more concerned about her leaving than she thought.
She nodded. “The answer was right here all along. I just needed to clean my spectacles.”
Noah gave her the most affectionate kiss. His lips tasted like sweet peppermint fresh from the garden. The kiss lingered and lingered. She didn’t want it to end. Eventually, she settled into the crook of his arm. She sat there peacefully, silently marveling at the miracle of their circumstances.
Dahlia finally knew where she belonged and with whom.
But she’d also realized that she could only come to that conclusion by understanding she belonged to herself first and foremost. The armor that had served her for over two decades was no longer needed.
There were no guarantees, and she knew that, but she owed it to Lil to be brave enough to try.
She had a life to live and now a place to plant roots and bloom.